- Workers' Compensation
Back injuries account for hundreds of thousands of work-related injuries each year. Injuries are often attributed to heavy lifting, twisting, placing anything above you, or sitting for long periods. Truckers often have a difficult time because they spend hours in their trucks to then unload heavy objects from their vehicles.
Most injuries are considered ‘no fault’ and focus instead on protecting both employer and employee. This is a result of increased tension among both parties and expedites the process, so the employee no longer needs to wait on a lawsuit. While this typically benefits the employee, you may be able to explore other options, as you are likely entitled to Workers’ Compensation.
For more information, contact our back injury workers’ comp lawyers today!
Common Back Injuries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries account for almost 20 percent of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The most common types of back injuries are strains, sprains, or herniated disks.
- Strains are typical with overused or overstretched muscles.
- Sprains are torn ligaments.
- Herniated disks are loss of the spine’s cushioning.
Some other back injuries you could suffer from are whiplash, thoracic spine injuries, or lumbar spine injuries. If you work long shifts or sit for long periods, you may notice some symptoms of a back injury that could be related to your work.
Common Symptoms of a Back Injury
Back injuries can be mild to severe. Injuries are more common in the lower back. Some symptoms of serious back injuries:
- Pain or tenderness in an area
- Pain that exacerbates with movement or twisting
- Difficulty standing up straight
- Muscle Spasms
- Bruising or swelling
- Numbness to arms, legs, or feet
This is not an exclusive list, and the above could possibly be attributed to another cause, however, these are common symptoms of what you can expect. If you are suffering from the above and believe it is related to work, contact your supervisor and one of our work injury lawyers today.
Next Steps
When you notice that you are suffering from any work-related injury, ensure you get the appropriate medical attention. Notify your supervisor of all details pertaining to the accident if possible. During a doctor’s visit or ER visit, always obtain documentation, so you can have it on hand. Some examples of documentation that you may additionally need are proof of employment, medical bills or receipts, rehabilitation notes, or any other supporting documentation.
You have 30 days from the accident to report an injury to your employer, and two years to file a claim. Typically, your employer will file your claim for you, and you will be contacted by Workers’ Compensation.
If you’re interested in learning more about how long you have to work for a company to qualify for workers compensation. Visit this page
We understand this process can be complicated, so we recommend reaching out to WorkInjuryRights.Com™ for a free consultation!
Workers’ Compensation
Florida has a no-fault workers’ compensation system. This means that as long as your accident or injury was on the job and caused by work-related activities, you will likely be approved for benefits. Workers’ Compensation is required to be purchased by the employer according to the number of employees they hire.
If you are eligible for Workers’ Compensation, some of the benefits you may receive are disability payments for any loss of pay, impairment benefits, necessary medical care, and rehabilitation. Ensure you provide as much detail as possible to your employer. After your incident is reported to your employer, the insurance company will then review your medical records, work experience, medical examinations, and may request evaluations of your ability to work. If you find your claim is denied, you can challenge the decision.
How Can WorkInjuryRights.Com™ Help
If you are suffering from a back injury, you are likely in a lot of pain and may find the Workers’ Compensation process to be strenuous. Even if you report all information to your employer, you may be able to obtain additional benefits or be eligible for other programs.
Our team has over 45 years of combined experience, and several of our lawyers have worked directly with insurance companies. We work hard to advocate for our clients and believe in maximizing your benefits.
To get started with a free consultation, fill out a form here or call us at 954-833-5226 today!
